Hungarian center-right opposition party Tisza increases its lead over Fidesz, the party of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, according to a sociological survey ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections on April 12, Reuters reported, quoted by BTA.
Orban, who has ruled for 16 years, faces strong competition in a parliamentary vote for the first time. The outcome of the race will have significant consequences not only for Hungary, but also for Europe and far-right political forces.
The poll, which was published by the news website hvg.hu, shows increasing support for Tisza, while for Fidesz it remains unchanged despite the ruling party's attempts to appeal to voters after three years of economic stagnation.
The Tisza party, which was founded only two years ago, has increased its lead over Fidesz to 23% among those who have declared a firm intention to vote, or 3 percentage points more than the 20% measured in the previous survey a month ago, the pollster "Median" said.
This brings the overall level of support for Tisza, a party led by former government member Péter Magyar, to 58%, which is again an increase of three percentage points compared to last year. month.
Thirty-five percent of those surveyed said they would vote for Fidesz, which means their share remains the same as in February.
If the entire population of Hungary is taken into account, TISA is supported by 48%, while 30% of the country's residents would vote for Fidesz, the survey, which was conducted between March 17 and 20, also shows.
The "Median" agency expects a high voter turnout, as 89% of those surveyed said they intended to exercise their right to vote. In the last election in 2022, voter turnout was 70%.
"We may see a record voter turnout," said the director of "Median" Endre Han in a podcast on the website hvg.hu.
The far-right movement "Our Homeland" ("Mi Hazánk") is supported by 4% of those who have decided to vote, down from 6% in February. Parties need to win at least 5% to get a seat in parliament.
The "Median" sociological agency has been providing some of the most accurate forecasts in Hungary. It predicted Orbán's landslide victory in the last elections four years ago, although it slightly overestimated support for the opposition at the time.
Although most public opinion polls show a lead for Tisza, Fidesz cites surveys that show the ruling party still in first place. According to Fidesz's opponents, these polls are mainly conducted by institutes with financial or personal ties to the ruling party.